After creating such films as 28 Days Later, The Beach and Sunshine, there was little that director Danny Boyle hadn't done. But then, in an attempt to prove everyone wrong, he made Slumdog Millionaire.
Depicting the tale of a young boy, attempting to overcome odds and answer the final question on India's 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,' Slumdog is a fresh, feel good film about life, love and the complexes of both. Starring Dev Patel and Anil Kapoor, the film comes alive with its unique style and direction.
A few weeks ago, CollegeMovieReview.com was given the opportunity to speak with the famed director about the film and what is expected when working with a studio like Fox Searchlight.
CollegeMovieReview: How did you get attached to the project?
Danny Boyle: Well, the film is based on a great novel, written by a guy named Vikas Swarup. And a screenplay had been developed, and it was sent to me and I just loved it, I had to do it.
CMR: How did you get your leading stars?
DB We had casting calls. A lot of casting calls. And it actually got to the point where we were going to have to push back shooting because we hadn't found our lead guy yet. But then, at the last minute, we saw Dev Patal, and we knew we had found our guy.
CMR: The film was financed by Fox Searchlight, the leading independent studio who has a strong reputation for amazing films. Did their backing create an additional layer of pressure for you?
Not really. The thing about Searchlight is that they expect you to work. They expect for you to do interviews, to go around to festivals and to be available. That is why they are so successful. I have had the privilege of doing many films with them before Slumdog, and it has always been a pleasure. I couldn't ask for anything [better].
CMRWhile you were filming, did you know that you were creating something amazing, or did that not come until you had a final product?
DB: You don't make a movie unless you believe in it. I believe in Slumdog from day one, so I always felt we were making something special. But to go to festivals and screenings and see audiences really connect with the story and the characters, that is something special. You can never guess how an audience is going to react, so when they like it, you quickly realize that you have something special.
CMR: How important was the emotional rollercoaster to the film and its story?
DB: The story is like Charles Dickens. Indian cinema is very melodramatic, very rich and extreme. You get infected by that and Dickens is the closest thing in our culture to use as a reference point. Even the music in the movie is melodramatic because they don't want to hide it. I love that feeling.
CMR: Yea, you used MIA's 'Paper Planes' which was very cool.
BD: Oh yes, I love that song. I was so disappointed when it was in the trailer of Pineapple Express. (laughing) I want everyone to know that I had it in my film long before I saw that movie.
